Want to
take the car? Check on import regulations and the duty payable.

With regards
to family pets– make sure vaccinations and documentation
are up to date.

Will your
new home be ready? If not, you need to arrange temporary storage.

Shops,
schools, theaters, life styles – it’s never too early
to find out about your new home.

Start running
down freezer stocks.

Arrange
your finances – close or transfer bank accounts, savings
accounts and so on, if necessary.

Packing
Materials

Use only strong, corrugated cartons with covers. We can supply
you with specially made cartons, for everything from mattresses
to clothing and mirrors. The added protection of mover-provided
cartons may avoid damage that results from the use of poor-quality
packing materials. Your alternative is to collect boxes discarded
by your grocery or liquor store. Save old newspapers for use in
packing, but remember that ink may rub off and stain clothing
or other items. *WARNING: Insect eggs and insects such
as roaches can travel in food boxes.
Keep this in mind when getting boxes from food stores. Here's
a list a packing supplies that will come in handy:

Before actually packing-up, you need to have a game plan. For
example:

Pack
one room at a time. This will help you when it comes time
to unpack.

Pack
a couple of cartons a day, starting well ahead of the move.

Mark
all boxes, designating room and box number. Make a carton
identification log to show the number of boxes packed per
room, and the total number of cartons packed. It's a good
idea to leave space in your log for a special comments section
to note carton conditions or location of high value goods.
Notify your mover of any high value items.

Be sure
to have plenty of "filling" material available.

Be sure
that the bottoms of all cartons are secured and will hold
the weight of the contents.

Packing
tape or gummed tape is better than masking tape.

Pack
heavier items toward the bottom of the box and lighter items
toward the top. Try to keep a per-box weight of 50 pounds
or less; it makes moving a lot easier. A general rule to remember
on carton size -- the heavier the item, the smaller the carton.

Packing
Dish-ware

Select
a medium-sized carton (or mover provided dishpack) and line
the bottom of the carton with crumpled packing paper.

With
packing paper stacked neatly in place on a work table, center
one plate on the paper.

Grasp
a corner on several sheets of packing paper and pull the paper
over the plate until sheets completely cover the plate. Stack
a second plate on and, moving clockwise, grasp a second corner
and pull sheets over the second plate.

Stack
a third plate. Grasp remaining two corners, folding two sheets
of each corner (one at a time) over the plate.

Re-wrap
the entire bundle: start with one corner of packing paper
and pull two sheets over the bundle, cover bundle with next
corner, then the third corner; and finally, the fourth.

Seal
the bundle with packing tape.

Place
the bundle of dish-ware in a medium-size box so that the plates
are standing on edge

Use
this process on all saucers, bread and butter dishes, and other
dishware. When packing smaller dishes, you may choose to stack
in greater quantity.

Packing Cups

With
packing paper in place on the work table, position one cup
six to eight inches from one of the corners.

Now pull
the near corner of the paper up and over the cup.

Nest
a second cup directly on top, with handle to left (second
cup should "nest" itself in packing paper folded
over the bottom cups).

Pull
the two side corners up and over, one at a time, and tuck
corners inside the top cup.

Hold
the bottom and top cup in position and roll cups to the remaining
corner. Fragile mixing bowls may be rolled in the same manner.

Delicate
cups, like china, should be wrapped one at a time. Antique
glass or china should be stuffed with crumpled tissue and
wrapped one at a time.

Packing
Glasses and Stemware

Stuff
glasses and stemware with crumpled tissue or packing paper
before wrapping.

Lay on
the corner of packing paper and roll it one or two full rotations
(depending on size); pull sides of packing paper up and over
glass/stemware and continue rolling to the far corner. Corrugated
paper rolls or cellular boxes may be used for added protection.

Place
glasses and stemware toward the top of your box. Heavier items
(dish-ware, pitchers,etc.) should be placed toward the bottom
of the box.

Delicate glassware and stemware should be placed in an upright
position, not on its side.

No
matter what you're packing, you should use crumpled packing paper
in between each layer to assure a snug fit wherever there's a
gap. All boxes with "fragile" items should be marked
accordingly.

Specialized Packing Tips
The list of individual household items is endless. Most can be
packed by following our packing pointers. Here are some additional
packing tips for major items. If you want a more comprehensive
list of how to pack special items, drop us a line.

Bureau Drawers -- Don't overload. Too heavy a load can
cause damage. Remove firearms and any items that might break or
leak. Firearms, along with serial numbers, must be registered
with your van line representative before the move.

Canned Goods and Other Non-Frozen Food -- Pack upright
with no more than 24-30 cans per carton. Don't attempt to move
perishables. Wrap glass containers and boxed foods individually
and pack in small cartons.

Frozen Foods and Plants -Because of the delicate and perishable
nature of these items, your mover is prohibited from accepting
these packed items when your shipment is being transported more
than 150 miles and/or delivery will not be accomplished within
twenty-four (24) hours from the time of loading. Frozen food shipped
within these guidelines must be packed in a freezer which at time
of loading is at normal deep-freeze temperature.

Clocks -- Remove or secure pendulum in large clocks. Grandfather
clocks should be prepared for moving by expert servicemen.

Drapes and Curtains -- Hang drapes over crossbars in wardrobe
cartons, or pack folded in clean cartons. Remove curtains from
rods, fold and pack in cartons or bureau drawers.

Flammables and Combustibles -- Flammable liquids and aerosol
cans must not be packed. Changes in temperature and pressure can
cause them to leak, or even explode. For your own protection,
you should know that if you pack these items and they cause damage
to your shipment or others, you, not your mover, may be held liable.

Lamps and Lampshades -- Remove bulbs, harps and shades.
Roll up cord. Pack lamps with bedding or wrap separately and place
upright in clean, tissue-lined carton. Wrap harp and finial (decorative
knob) with packing paper and tape to inside wall of carton that
contains shade. Wrap shades in tissue, not newspaper. Place upright
in large, tissue lined cartons.

Medicines -- Seal caps with masking tape. Wrap and pack
upright in small cartons. If needed during travel, carry with
you.

Mirrors, Paintings and Pictures -- Tell your agent about
valuable paintings for special care. Wrap small mirrors, pictures,
paintings, and frames and place on edge in cartons. Place large
pictures and paintings on edge in heavy cardboard containers.
Large wall or dresser mirrors will be taken down by the movers
and placed in special cartons. For added safety, place tape diagonally
across mirror to protect better against damage. Do not place newspaper
directly against paintings.

Personal Computers and Video Recorders -- Pack valuable
electronic equipment in original cartons when available. Otherwise,
use strong, corrugated cartons and place protective padding on
the bottom of the carton. Wrap an old blanket or protective pad
around the item and place it in its carton. Place additional padding
between the carton and the computer or video recorder. Wrap cords
separately, label to identify usage and place in a plastic bag
away from delicate surfaces. Non-detachable cords should also
be wrapped. Place cords between the padded computer or video recorder
and the carton. Be sure your personal computer is "parked"
and ready for transport.

Silverware -- Wrap each piece in cloth or low sulfur content
paper to prevent tarnishing. Use an old blanket or moving pad
as a wrap to prevent scratching the silverware chest.

Waterbed Mattresses -- Drain all water from the waterbed
and, grasping internal baffle systems with external vinyl, fold
mattress 20 inches at a time. Adjust folds to avoid making creases
across individual baffles. Consult your owner's manual for special
instructions concerning the care and transportation of your mattress.
Do not place your mattress in a carton with sharp or pointed objects.

Cars and Motorcycles -- Cars and motorcycles shipped on
the moving van should be drained nearly empty of fuel. Motorcycle
batteries should be disconnected. Automobile antifreeze should
be ample to protect against severe cold in winter.

Barbecue Grills and Propane Tanks -- Wrap grates and briquettes
separately in a newspaper (or place all briquettes into a grocery
bag) and place parts in carton. Pad carton with paper to reduce
movement of contents. Propane tanks cannot be moved. Consult your
local gas grill distributor for the safest method.